Immersive, exciting and utterly captivating - that was the atmosphere as Welly hit The Bodega's stage, unleashing creative chaos from the first moment. With The Pill and Polly Money setting the scene, the evening was unforgettable and proved this band are absolutely one to watch...
Usually, when I attend a Leftlion gig, I’m half immersed in the music and atmosphere, and half head-down in my notes app, trying to capture the vibe of the night. But 30 seconds into Welly’s set, I realized the best way to capture the vibe was to be a part of it. With my phone securely in my pocket, I threw myself into the evening.
I arrived a few minutes into the first support act, The Pill, and it was already promising to see the floor relatively full. With the crowd warmed up after the ethereal set by second support Polly Money, the atmosphere was electric, waiting to experience the magic that is Welly.
The band kicks things off with an energetic "Oi, Oi, Oi!", riling up the crowd before Elliot Hall asks, “Does anyone speak French?”
The band then bursts into a quick 40-second rendition of Not Like This in France—but only for a moment until it stops. Welly blames the "drum machine for breaking...It’s all good though," he admits, "I didn’t even like that song." It's clear the falter is deliberate when he smirks asking, “How are we, Nottingham?”
They performed tracks from their debut album Big in the Suburbs (out on 21st March), including the title track, which is a meteoric blast of energy. I didn’t know the lyrics, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the second chorus, I was belting it out with everyone else.
Some unreleased songs including Home for the Weekend followed suit with the same intoxicating rhythm, the music may as well have put springs in people's shoes with the way everyone was moving.
Listening to their live performance feels like being at the heart of a party—with banging tunes, theatrical performances, and top-tier crowd interaction. If this band were a day, they’d definitely be a Saturday night—and I’m not just saying that because it was Saturday! The fan-favourite Soak up the Culture was particularly entertaining with the bassist quite literally leaping across the stage and all the band members dancing while playing/singing, I had to take a quick break from dancing to appreciate the energy in the room and soak up the song.
If this band were a day, they’d definitely be a Saturday night
Crowd participation is clearly as important to Welly as their satirical lyrics and social observations are to their music and the night is packed with moments of interaction. Whether it’s Welly getting the audience to introduce the next song in their own creative way or someone sharing tales of their gap years spent working at supermarkets, it feels like everyone in the room gets to step into the world of Welly—even if it’s just for a moment.
The performance feels like an indie rock pantomime, where the crowd isn’t just watching—they’re a part of the show. With witty lyrics, fun, synthy melodies and a talent that radiates creative chaos, this is the essence of what Welly’s music is all about and sets the tone for the night.
Welly performed at The Bodega on 15th February 2025, with support from The Pill and Polly Money.
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